Clinical handover experience among nurses working in Ethiopia: phenomenological qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Communication
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Clinical handover is a critical communication process in healthcare, essential for patient safety.
• Ineffective clinical handover contributes to a significant percentage of preventable adverse health events.
• Evidence on the lived experiences of clinical handover among nurses in Ethiopia was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of nurses regarding clinical handover at Jimma Medical Center.
• To identify challenges and impacts associated with clinical handover in the Ethiopian context.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive phenomenological approach was utilized.
• Data were collected through in-depth interviews with nurses and key informants, supplemented by non-participatory observations.
• Colaizzi's seven-step method and Atlas.ti 8 software facilitated data analysis.

Main Results:

• Three core themes emerged: inconsistent/non-standardized handover processes, obstacles to consistent handover (system, provider, patient factors), and negative patient impacts.
• Subthemes included communication styles, handover location, timing, content, patient involvement, and responsibility.
• Participants reported that ineffective handover negatively affected the holistic quality of nursing care.

Conclusions:

• A significant deficit in consistent and standardized clinical handover practices was identified.
• Obstacles stem from nurses, the healthcare system, and patient health status.
• Tailored interventions are necessary to enhance clinical handover practices in nursing.